Here is a picture of a Bradford to Paignton HST, with power cars 43186/187, approaching the East end of Taunton framed by some nice signals on 26th March 1983

Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

St James' Park ExeterAll Change!David Tozer

Nothing special about this photograph except the changing landscape.Compare it with my 2012 photo with a proper engine!!!Yes, the old Exeter City Grandstand has been demolished and is to bereplaced in due course.

The Super MoonClass 70 with the Railvac and The Moorswater Cement emptiesCraig Munday

A novel way to return the Railvac Eastward was to include it in the empty PCAs from Moorswater. Providing the Duchy's first "pick-up" freight for a few years, and the first visit of PCAs west of Par since the late 80s when Chacewater was the regions cement hub. The train is seen westbound along the golf course at Carlyon Bay & Returning with the railvac tucked inside the locomotive 70816 at Burngullow & Bolitho.I've included a festive shot from St Blazey with a rather super moon hiding behind the section signal.

171201a 70816 heads westbound along the golf course at Carlyon Bay to Burngullow with the cement empties. Copyright Craig Munday

171201c The same train is seen crossing Bolitho Viaduct, Liskeard. Copyright Craig Munday

171201d I've included a festive shot from St Blazey with a rather super moon hiding behind the section signal. Copyright Craig Munday

Thanks once again Craig

47703 'The Queen Mother' East of Chard JunctionJohn Cornelius

LEWISHAM RAIL CRASH 1957Mike Roach

Sixty years ago on Wednesday 4 December 1957 a serious rail crash occurred at Lewisham in south east London on the Southern Region of British Railways on the South Eastern main line. The 5.18pm Charing Cross to Hayes was stopped at signals south east of St. Johns Station when it was run into by the following and very late running 4.56pm Cannon Street to Ramsgate, via Folkestone, train in thick fog. The Hayes train consisted of 10-coach electric commuter train carrying approximately 1,500 passengers; while the Ramsgate train was an 11-coach steam train carrying 700 passengers. The collision occurred underneath the Nunhead flyover which collapsed onto the crashed trains exacerbating the number of deaths. The flyover was replaced by a temporary military bridge which is believed to be still in position 60 years later. 90 people died in the crash, and 176 were injured with over 100 being detained in hospital. There were other serious accidents in the Lewisham area in 1857 when 11 died, and a serious freight train derailment on 24 January 2017 which caused widespread disruption.

There have been many rail crashes in the 60 years since 1957 but in none of them has the number of deaths exceeded the 90 who died at St. Johns, Lewisham in 1957.The steam locomotive involved in the Lewisham crash was Battle of Britain class 4-6-2 “Spitfire” which was repaired and put back into use. It was shedded at Stewarts Lane Shed from January 1950 until January 1961 when it transferred to Exmouth Junction Shed. It was there for more than 3 years and was a frequent visitor to Ilfracombe, Padstow and Plymouth, normally arriving via Okehampton. The loco was withdrawn from Salisbury Shed in September 1966 and was scrapped.

Photographs by Mike Roach

34066 Spitfire is seen on Plymouth's Friary shed on 24th July 1962. Copyright Mike Roach

34066 Spitfire is seen leaving Port Isaac Road Station on the Padstow portion of the down Atlantic Coast Express on 4th August 1962. Copyright Mike Roach